Curiously, during this period, he did not appear to those who had opposed him most fiercely: the Pharisees, who had orchestrated his death, and the Roman officials, who had authorized his crucifixion.
For many, this is a perplexing detail—why would Jesus not reveal himself to those who doubted or opposed him, those who most needed to see the truth of his resurrection?
This question invites us to consider the very nature of Jesus’ mission, the purpose of his post-resurrection appearances, and the deep spiritual truth about faith and free will.
By reflecting on these aspects, we can gain a richer understanding of how Jesus’ approach to his enemies reflects God’s desire for authentic belief, transformation, and a response rooted in love rather than fear.
1. Jesus’ Mission Was to Inspire Faith, Not to Force Belief
Throughout his life and ministry, Jesus sought to bring people to faith through invitation rather than compulsion. He performed miracles, taught about the Kingdom of God, and revealed the Father’s love, all to draw people to God with open hearts. Yet, even during his life, he chose not to perform miracles to satisfy the scepticism of the religious leaders or the crowds when they demanded signs as proof of his divinity (Matthew 12:38-39). This approach continued after his resurrection.
The heart of Jesus’ ministry was to foster faith that arises from an openness to God, not from an overwhelming display of power. As St. Paul wrote, “we walk by faith, not by sight” (2 Corinthians 5:7), underscoring that faith is fundamentally a choice of trust, even in the face of uncertainty.
Jesus understood that true faith cannot be forced upon someone. Had he appeared to the Pharisees or the Romans in his resurrected body, they might have been compelled to believe in his resurrection as a mere fact. However, this would not necessarily lead to a true conversion of heart, as faith involves a deeper relationship with God than simple recognition of a miraculous event.
2. The Role of Free Will in Encountering God
Free will is essential to authentic belief. The Pharisees and Romans had witnessed Jesus’ miracles and teachings during his life, yet they remained hardened against him, either viewing him with suspicion or dismissing him as a threat.
Even the most astonishing events, such as the raising of Lazarus from the dead, failed to convince them. Instead, these miracles seemed only to solidify their opposition. Had Jesus revealed himself post-resurrection, their resistance could have persisted or even deepened.
God respects human freedom, including the freedom to accept or reject him. By not appearing to those who had actively opposed him, Jesus respected the choices they had made, showing that God does not impose belief or force anyone into faith. Jesus’ decision to reveal himself only to those open to receiving him underscores the significance of human free will in the relationship between God and humanity.
3. Jesus’ Priority Was Strengthening His Followers
After his resurrection, Jesus’ primary focus was on his disciples, who would become the foundation of the Church. The Gospels reveal that Jesus appeared to individuals and groups who already believed in him or who were inclined toward belief, such as Mary Magdalene, Peter, Thomas, and the disciples on the road to Emmaus. These encounters were deeply personal and transformative, strengthening the faith of his followers and preparing them for the mission to spread the Gospel.
The apostles and early disciples would become the “witnesses” of the resurrection, as Jesus explained in Acts 1:8: “You will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” Rather than forcing belief upon sceptics, Jesus chose to empower those who loved him to be the heralds of his message.
This strategic choice allowed for a profound transformation in the lives of the apostles, who would testify to the resurrection not only with words but with the courage, love, and joy they displayed in their own lives.
4. The Role of the Holy Spirit in the Spread of Faith
Before his ascension, Jesus promised that the Holy Spirit would come to guide, empower, and sustain the apostles in their mission. Through the power of the Holy Spirit, the apostles would be able to bear witness to Christ’s resurrection and attract others to faith in a manner that would speak to their hearts.
The Holy Spirit’s role would be central to the growth of the early Church, providing a means for people to encounter God through the witness of others rather than through coercion or spectacle.
The spread of the Christian faith, therefore, did not rely on Jesus making continuous appearances or proving his resurrection directly to everyone who doubted. Instead, the Holy Spirit would work through the apostles and the early Church community, transforming lives and drawing people into a relationship with Christ.
By focusing on his followers and promising them the Spirit, Jesus laid the groundwork for the Church to grow organically through the witness of those who had encountered the risen Lord.
5. The Pharisees’ and Romans’ Rejection of Jesus Had Hardened Their Hearts
The Gospel accounts reveal that the Pharisees and many in authority consistently resisted Jesus, even attributing his miraculous deeds to demonic powers (Matthew 12:24). Their opposition to him was not due to a lack of evidence but a deep-seated resistance to the truth of his identity and message.
Jesus himself alluded to the spiritual blindness that affects those who oppose God, a blindness that renders them unable to see, even when the truth is in front of them.
When Jesus refrained from appearing to the Pharisees and Romans, he may have been acknowledging their hardened hearts. Biblical tradition holds that when people reject God persistently, they can become “hardened” in their unbelief, making it difficult for them to accept even the most profound truths. Jesus’ decision not to appear to them is consistent with his respect for human freedom and the reality of spiritual blindness.
This approach teaches us that faith requires a willingness to see with the eyes of the heart, not simply the eyes of the body.
6. God’s Plan is Rooted in Humility, Not in Earthly Triumph
From a human perspective, it may seem that Jesus missed an opportunity to vindicate himself before his enemies. But Jesus’ victory was not one of earthly triumph or dominance. His Kingdom is “not of this world” (John 18:36), and his approach is rooted in humility, mercy, and love rather than retribution. He came to offer salvation, not to condemn, and his resurrection was a testament to God’s love for humanity, rather than a means to punish or humiliate those who rejected him.
Jesus’ life and ministry were marked by humility, even in his victory over death. He did not seek vindication or revenge but trusted in the Father’s will.
By refraining from a public display to his enemies, Jesus demonstrated that his Kingdom operates according to different principles than worldly kingdoms. He calls his followers to reflect this same humility, bearing witness to God’s love without seeking power or domination.
7. Faith is Rooted in Love, Not in Fear or Compulsion
Jesus’ choice to appear only to his followers rather than to his detractors highlights the central role of love in the Christian faith.
True faith is rooted in love, not fear. If Jesus had appeared to his enemies in a way that compelled belief, their acceptance of him would likely have been based on fear or the need to submit to overwhelming evidence, rather than a sincere desire to follow him. This approach is not consistent with the nature of God’s love, which invites rather than forces.
St. John tells us, “There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment” (1 John 4:18). Jesus’ decision not to impose belief on his adversaries reflects this divine love. God does not seek followers who are driven by fear of punishment but desires a relationship based on love, trust, and a free, heartfelt response to his call.
8. Faith is a Journey of the Heart, Not Merely of the Eyes
The resurrection of Jesus calls for a response that goes beyond physical sight. As Jesus said to Thomas, “Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed” (John 20:29). This beatitude speaks to the nature of Christian faith as a journey of the heart, an encounter with the risen Christ that transforms one’s life.
By not appearing to the Pharisees and Romans, Jesus teaches that faith is not primarily about seeing physical evidence but about an openness to God’s grace and truth. The apostles and early Christians bore witness to the resurrection not only by sharing their direct experiences of Jesus but by embodying his love, forgiveness, and courage.
This witness became a living testimony to the power of the resurrection, inviting others to believe and join in the journey of faith.
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Jesus’ Approach Shows Us the Path of Faith
Jesus’ decision to refrain from appearing to the Pharisees and Romans after his resurrection reveals the nature of true faith.
It is a gift that cannot be forced, an invitation that respects free will, and a response of love rather than fear. His selective appearances to his followers prepared them to become witnesses to the world, empowered by the Holy Spirit to spread the Gospel.
In this way, Jesus shows us that the path of faith is one of humility, freedom, and love, rather than compulsion or spectacle.
In our own journey, we are invited to approach faith with the same openness of heart that Jesus sought in his followers.
The resurrection remains a mystery that calls for a response not only of belief but of transformation—a journey of trust and relationship with the risen Lord, who invites us to witness to his love in a world still yearning for hope and redemption.